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GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Barrios fight ‘mission accomplished' for Manny Pacquiao despite draw, says analyst
Though the fight between Manny Pacquiao and WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios ended in a majority draw, it's still mission accomplished for the Filipino boxing legend, according to veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino. Pacquiao, 46, showed flashes of his younger self against Barrios, showcasing his trademark speed and combinations. Despite his efforts, however, Barrios retained the belt when two of the judges scored the fight 114-114 after twelve rounds of action. The third judge had it 115-113 for Barrios. "I had it 115-113 on my scorecard. Manny Pacquiao should have won this fight. That is what I think, and so do many experts and fans. I thought Barrios respected too much and was hesitant because he was getting hit," Tolentino said in an episode of Sparring Sessions LIVE. "Pacquiao was impressive for a 46-year-old. For a 46-year-old to go twelve hard rounds with a fighter who is only 30 years old, to me, it is already mission accomplished. It hurts to think that he did not get the decision. I do not understand what the judges saw or it did not see in this fight." Tolentino added that the fight was close and, in reality, could have gone either way. Yet for Tolentino, if someone deserved the nod, it had to be Pacquiao for pressing the action throughout the contest. "It was Manny Pacquiao who really wanted to win the fight not Mario Barrios. I thought even though Pacquiao was handicapped at 46 and 4 years of inactivity, he was there to compete and ready to bring the fight to Mario Barrios," Tolentino stated. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Manny Pacquiao has first half of the fight to win vs Barrios, says veteran analyst
If Manny Pacquiao wants to become a world champion again at 46 years old, he has to do it in a hurry inside the ring, according to veteran boxing analyst Atty Ed Tolentino. A veteran of 72 fights and the only eight-division champion in boxing history, Pacquiao is slated to end his four-year hiatus when he takes on the WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 18 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Though an underdog, Tolentino says Pacquiao has a shot at reclaiming boxing glory. 'Manny Pacquiao is a live underdog. He has to start early; he would be at his best in the first half of the fight. Remember Keith Thurman? He started early, scored a knockdown, but in the second half, he showed his age,' Tolentino said in an interview on Sparring Sessions LIVE. 'In the second half, when his age shows, that would give Barrios confidence, so show up right away early. Try to get a hot start. He has a good shot, especially if he starts early.' Many have expressed their concern about Pacquiao's ring return, citing how the Filipino ring icon is up there in age. Despite Barrios being 16 years younger, Tolentino predicts that the former would not be careless in the early going. 'I do not think Barrios will try to ambush, although I see Barrios testing the body of Pacquiao because he knows he is rusty and may test the body,' Tolentino said. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
